What is Pulmonary Hypertension?

Pulmonary Hypertension is a rare and life-threatening blood vessel disorder that affects the lungs and heart. The pressures in the pulmonary artery (the blood vessel that leads from the heart to the lungs) rises above normal levels, and may become life threatening. The high pressures in the pulmonary artery can cause the right side of the heart to become enlarged, which can cause right sided heart failure.

Pulmonary Hypertension is very different from regular hypertension. PH can develop from another disease, such as Lupus and other autoimmune diseases, cancer treatments, heart and lung conditions and various other conditions. Sometimes PH can be idiopathic, which means doctor's have no idea why the disease developed.

Some of the symptoms of PH include: passing out, chest pain, high heart rate, unusual shortness of breath (like going on a flight of stairs, or bending over,) swelling in the belly and or ankles, fatigue, and blueish lips and/fingers.
The mission of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association of Canada, Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) and #phaware is
to find ways to prevent and cure Pulmonary Hypertension, and to provide
hope for the pulmonary hypertension community through support,
education, advocacy and awareness. For more information about Pulmonary Hypertension and how to donate visit the websites below.